The most significant switch from last year is Ramirez moving from leadoff to third in the order. Maybin now takes over batting first.

Gonzalez said he considered dropping Ramirez to a power spot dating back to the Winter Meetings.

There still are questions regarding some spots. Sanchez has to make the team and win the first base job. If Emilio Bonifacio makes the team, he is more of a prototypical leadoff hitter. Maybin gives more of the same look that Ramirez showed the past three seasons.

2 Comments

I like the lineup shift with moving Ramirez down, but is any chance that Cantu could play first where is better defensively to start the season and have McPherson, Bonifacio or even Andino play third if Sanchez needs more time to develop?

If Sanchez doesn’t make the team, and Cantu switches to first, then McPherson appears the early option to play third. Bonifacio fits the prototype leadoff spot mold. The question is if he will be ready to assume that position at any point this year. Maybin in a few years is looked at as a middle of the lineup guy, much like Hanley.

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